Roundshaw’s Lewis Pinto claimed the vacant Queensbury Boxing League’s British Middleweight title on Saturday night.
In front of the capacity crowd at the Epsom Downs Racecourse, he stopped fellow title challenger Ben Davies in the second round - ending it in emphatic style with a barrage of spiteful looking shots that forced referee Seamus Dunne to intervene and save the unsteady Davies from further punishment.
He had not had it all his own way though as the newly crowned champion had to come through his own mini crisis in the opening stanza of the fight to claim the title after eating several meaty shots from the challenger.
“ I’m really happy to be back and prove to everyone I’m a worthy champion and a true fighter," he said.
"I didn’t get off the best start tonight and got caught with some big shots in there by a strong, strong kid.
"But once I got going in the second round and started to get my range I felt really good in there and was able to put my shots together.
"There’s still plenty to work on but I got the win and would like to thank my team and everyone that came along tonight to give such fantastic support."
Pinto may now get the opportunity to face long-time rival Jimmy Mizon in November in what would be one of the biggest fights in the league’s history.
For now though, he will enjoy watching the fight back when it is broadcast on Sky’s Premier Sports channel 433 at the end of the month.
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